The concerns of former well respected executives of the Weddin Shire on the front page of the Grenfell Record on Fri 20 th March are reason for very serious consideration. At the core of the problem is removal of local representation with accountability and one can only expect a debacle similar to the dysfunctional Local Land Services.

As Minister for Agriculture, Katrina Hodgkinson ignored the pleas of ratepayers for democratic representation for Local Land Services. She may distance herself from the amalgamation argument in line with Cabinet solidarity but LLS was her call. As one employee told me, she could not have made a bigger mess of it if she tried. The nonsense surrounding the fencing of the Burrangong creek at Bimbi has to be seen to be believed. Readers of the Grenfell Record have been given a summary in their edition of 12 th March. (available on Record website)

Whoever wins this election locally and State wide is on notice that the community expects them to represent the community NOT the bureauracy. Voters no longer fear the sky falling in when there is a change of government. Listening and ignoring is not an option for a local member. If there are forced amalgamations, or retribution for standing alone they won’t be there after the next four years. Both Victorian and Queensland governments have learned their lesson the hard way but the damage will have been done. 

It certainly is good advice to contact the candidates and put them under pressure before the election. The time to act is now. 

Sincerely